Cole Geise, 22, of Olean, New York

No Longer Missing

Cole Geise, 22, of Olean, New York, went missing on May 2. His family had
no knowledge of his whereabouts. An intense search ensued. Approaching two
weeks since he went missing, his family had begun giving up hope.

"You get to day 13 and you start wondering," Cole's father, Steve, told
WIVB. "You wonder and you start getting a couple negative thoughts in your
head like, 'Alright, why hasn't he been seen? Where is he?'"

Finally, Geise was spotted by a former classmate. Lyaness Batista-Benett,
who was working as a shift supervisor at Wendy's, saw Geise walk in the
restaurant last Saturday evening. "I've known Cole since second grade,"
Batista-Benett said. "I saw him walk in and it instantly brought upon this
feeling. It's him!" Others in the restaurant also recognized Geise from the
police notices that had been posted throughout the area in abundance.

Some who recognized Geise followed him at a distance and called the police.
Geise, who has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, had been
hiding out in an abandoned house. Police picked him up safely and notified
his parents. Later there was a happy reunion for the Geise family at the
police station.

Because of our sins, we've "gone missing." We were created to be in
fellowship with God, but our sins separated us from Him and all the
blessings He intends for His children (Isaiah 59:1-2). Like lost sheep, we
have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6).

But God loves us so much that He sent His Son to seek and to save us (John
3:16; Luke 19:10), like a Shepherd seeking lost sheep.

In order to save us from sin, the Good Shepherd had to lay down His life
(John 10:17-18). He died for us so that we might live (1 Thessalonians
5:10).

If we will submit our lives to the Shepherd, He will save us and bring us
into a heavenly, eternal fold (John 10:10; Romans 6:23).

Jesus said, "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them.
Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost
sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his
shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together
and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in
the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who
repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent"
(Luke 15:4-7).

The Good Shepherd will save and give eternal life to those who place their
faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance
(Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin and keep safe those who continue to walk in the
light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

Lost sheep, won't you come home to the Shepherd?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Good Samaritans reunite New York man with family
2 weeks after going missing" by Peter Aitken of Fox News, www.foxnews.com.